Egypt

In the Old Testament, Egypt covered about the same territory as it does today. It is about the size of Texas and Colorado combined. The only thing that keeps the land from being all desert is that the Nile River floods every year.

The Pyramids and Sphinx tell us that the Egyptians were an ancient, highly civilized people. The Israelites called Egypt “Mizraim.” They asked Egypt for help during times of famine. The seven years of famine during the time of Joseph were probably caused by the Nile not flooding to its usual level. Interesting details of ancient Egyptian life are told in the stories of Joseph’s life and the slavery of the Hebrews up to the exodus. Egypt was at war with Israel several times in the Old Testament period.